Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday said the police force's efforts to reduce crime are often overshadowed by sensationalized reporting of shooting incidents on social media.

Speaking during the PNP's first Monday-of-the-month press briefing, Nartatez said the country's crime volume has continued to decline, with data as of July showing a 36.12 percent decrease.

According to the PNP, crime incidents dropped by 1,249 cases, from 3,458 during the same period last year to 2,209 this year.

"All of the shooting incidents, whether maliit yung kaso or malaki, inaasikaso ng PNP and it should be the case. It so happened that these cases that happened in the past, like for example in the recent days, naha-highlight kasi nagiging sensational by virtue of the personality involved and gravity nung case," Nartatez said.

He added that extensive coverage on social media, as well as reports from members of the PNP Press Corps, has challenged police officers to work harder in solving crimes.

"Mas gusto natin sa PNP na ma-sensationalize o mailabas yung mga insidente na ito, lalong-lalo na kung nanggaling ito sa social media at sa PNP Press Corps, at naibabalita kaagad sa amin. Mas maganda because that is the challenge for every police officer to have an investigative solution, like what happened with the recent shooting involving our vlogger," he said, referring to the recent ambush of a political vlogger in Caloocan City.

Nartatez credited the successful resolution of cases to the coordinated efforts of investigators across police stations, provinces, and regional offices.

"The result is the product of the painstaking effort of the police, including our capability in conducting investigations and the partnership of each and every investigator from one station to another station, from one province to another province, and from region to region," he said.

"These results reflect the continuing efforts of the PNP, together with our communities and partner agencies, to prevent crime, strengthen police visibility, and keep our neighborhoods safe," he added.

In July alone, the PNP conducted 5,526 anti-drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 6,368 individuals and the seizure of illegal drugs with an estimated standard drug price of more than P387 million.

Under its campaign against wanted persons, the PNP arrested 8,199 fugitives, including 2,352 most wanted persons and 5,847 other wanted persons.

Meanwhile, anti-smuggling and economic offense operations totaled 2,927, leading to the arrest of 656 individuals and the confiscation of cash and various items valued at more than P628 million.

The PNP also reported declines across all focus crime categories, with rape posting the largest decrease at 56.93 percent, followed by motor vehicle theft at 46.15 percent and motorcycle theft at 42.59 percent.